5 great Twin Cities hiking spots for an afternoon outside
No car? No bike? No problem.
The Twin Cities metro area has plenty of spots to get outside and hike that are serviced by public transit.
And the options extend far past the popular Como Park in St. Paul or the chain of lakes in Minneapolis. Here are five places, including some lesser-traveled ones, that have great hiking and a bus stop nearby.
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Wood Lake Nature Center trails
There's prairie, marsh, woods and a lake inside this 150-acre preserve. Hike through it all via several different trails.
Location:
6710 Lake Shore Drive, Richfield
Conditions:
About 4.5 miles of trails, including a boardwalk trail through marshlands. The city of Richfield has a map on its website.
Transit:
Metro Transit 4 and 515 bus routes drop off nearby.
North Mississippi Regional Park trails
This stretch of the Mississippi River is among the less-traveled ones in the Twin Cities, offering some peace along the river's shoreline. Plus, the trails connect to the Grand Rounds Scenic Byway System, which runs through some of the best nature in the Twin Cities.
Location:
5700 Lyndale Ave. N., Brooklyn Center.
Conditions:
1.6 miles of paved trails.
Transit:
Metro Transit 22 and 32 bus routes drop off nearby on Bryant Avenue North.
Crosby Farm Regional Park trails
This woodsy park off Shepard Road in St. Paul includes river and lake views, plus plenty of hiking. (Note: The park was closed due to flooding as of May 24. Check the city website for updates before planning a trip.)
Location:
2595 Crosby Farm Road, St. Paul.
Conditions:
6.7 miles of paved trails. A map is available from the city of St. Paul.
Transit:
Metro Transit bus routes 46, 84 and 54 drop off nearby.
Quaking Bog loop
Wear boots or old shoes here, because the bog will almost certainly be wet. However, the rewards of this hike inside Theodore Wirth Park include wildflowers like pitcher plants and other wildlife. The park includes plenty of other hikes and outdoor activities, too.
Location:
In Theodore Wirth Park between Golden Valley and Minneapolis. The trailhead is along Theodore Wirth Parkway between Wayzata Boulevard and Glenwood Avenue.
Conditions:
The trail is about one and a half miles, in a loop. Unpaved trail and a floating dock. Again, it's wet.
Transit:
The Metro Transit 9 bus route drops off near the intersection of Theodore Wirth Parkway and Wayzata Boulevard.
Fort Snelling at Bdote State Park trails
The state park offers 18 miles of hiking trails near the Mississippi River, Pike Island and two lakes. Cool off after hiking at the swimming beach and learn some Minnesota history at the park's interpretive exhibits. (Note: As of June 2, the park was temporarily closed for flooding. Check the park website for updates.)
Location:
101 Snelling Lake Road, St Paul.
Conditions:
These trails range from mile-paved routes to 3-mile unpaved options. A map is available here.
Transit:
The Metro Transit 7 bus route drops off at the visitors center, and the Fort Snelling Station on the Blue Line light rail is a mile away from the center.